THE Theatre Royal Newcastle has been judged the best presenting theatre in the UK at an industry awards ceremony.
The Grade I-listed theatre, which presents more than 380 performances a year to about 300,000 people, beat off stiff competition from across the country to win the coveted title.
To win the Renee Stepham Award from the Theatrical Management Association, the winning venue or company must demonstrate it is the best for supporting touring artists, programming touring productions and developing audiences.
The Theatre Royal came top on all counts, pipping the English Touring Theatre and Milton Keynes Theatre to the title.
The accolade comes hot on the heels of Sir Ian McKellen’s announcement last month that the Theatre Royal is his favourite theatre and, in his opinion, the best venue in the country.
Chief executive Philip Bernays said: “These are very exciting times for us and to be nationally recognised in this way further cements our position as one of the pre-eminent theatres in the country.”
The 172-year-old venue is the regional home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Opera North and Rambert Dance Company.
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